Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa has confirmed that the long-awaited Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system will be implemented in 69 municipalities from 1 October 2025.
Delivering his Budget Vote speech on last week, Hlengwa said these municipalities are prepared to roll out the system, while the remaining 144 municipalities – not yet ready – will implement AARTO in February 2026.
At the time of publishing it remains unclear which municipalities fall into those scheduled to start this year – and next.
“The AARTO will be rolled out in different phases according to municipal readiness,” Hlengwa explained.
“This is phase 2 of the AARTO rollout programme, while phase 3 will begin on 1 February 2026.”
The phased implementation follows years of delays, legal battles, and public confusion, including recent fake news reports in June claiming the system was being rolled out nationally – misinformation traced back to an online disinformation campaign using AI-generated content.
AARTO’s key goal: Changing road behaviour
Citing research that over 80% of road crashes are due to human error, Hlengwa said AARTO is central to government’s strategy to change motorist behaviour.
At the heart of AARTO is a demerit point system, which penalises drivers for traffic infringements and repeat offences.
The AARTO Act and its Amendment Act were both found to be constitutional and valid in July 2023, clearing the legal path for implementation.
Although a national rollout was initially scheduled for 1 July 2024, technical and logistical challenges pushed the date back.
Understanding the demerit system
Once fully implemented:
- All motorists start with zero demerit points
- Points are added for each offence when a fine is paid or upheld
- Accumulating 15 points results in a licence suspension of three months per additional point
- A third suspension leads to licence cancellation, requiring the driver to retake their learner’s and driver’s licence tests
- Points expire after three months if no further infringements occur
- A driver rehabilitation programme will be available to help reduce suspension periods for frequent offenders
Examples of penalties under AARTO
| Violation | Fine amount | Demerit points |
|---|---|---|
| Exceeding speed limit by 11-15km/h | R250 | 0 |
| Exceeding speed limit by 16-20km/h | R500 | 1 |
| Exceeding speed limit by 21-25km/h | R750 | 2 |
| Exceeding speed limit by more than 40km/h | Court hearing | 6 |
| Disobeying a stop sign or traffic light | R750 | 2 |
| Failing to use indicators | R500 | 1 |
| Driving without a licence | R1 250 | 4 |
| Driving unregistered vehicle | R1 000 | 3 |
| Driving vehicle without valid licence disc | R1 000 | 3 |
| Driving vehicle with one number plate | R500 | 2 |
| Driving vehicle without number plates | Court hearing | 6 |
| Failing to keep left | R1 000 | 3 |
| Failing to stop at an accident | Court hearing | 6 |
| Driving under the influence | Court hearing | 6 |
| Furnishing false information | Court hearing | 6 |
Public advised to follow official channels
Following the confusion caused by false reports in June, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) and Department of Transport issued public warnings and clarified that official announcements will only be made via verified government platforms.
“The information being circulated about the AARTO rollout date is fake news,” the RTIA stated.
“We urge the public to rely only on official channels for updates.”
Looking ahead
With the staggered rollout now clearly defined, the Department of Transport is under pressure to deliver a transparent, efficient, and fair implementation of a system that has sparked both controversy and cautious optimism.
Authorities are urging motorists to begin familiarising themselves with the AARTO system and its implications – particularly the demerit system – as South Africa moves closer to a more digitised and accountable road traffic enforcement regime.
Will the new demerit system impact your driver behaviour?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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